Tools for this page
Print

The Best of Schoolhouse Rock

(1998, Compilation, by Various Artists, Label: Rhino Records)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Listen and learn using pop grace and sensibility.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 5 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Best of Schoolhouse Rock

Parents need to know that many of the songs provide lyrical devices to help children memorize facts like the multiplication tables or the Preamble to the Constitution. A narrative approach is used in many tracks to explain historical developments and, in one case, the legislative process ("I'm just a bill and I'm sittin' here on Capitol Hill ...").

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about some of the concepts being taught here through music, like the properties of numbers or the parts of speech. Does memorization through music make it easier for you to learn?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you heard it? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Best of Schoolhouse Rock?
  •  I think this title is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    DVD and Music Great for any age

    Though this is a review for the CD, the DVD is really more versatile (but not included in "movies" on this site.) I use the grammar rock DVD in my high school English classroom. It is really the best tool to teach parts of speech, which most high schoolers are expected to know but which most English teachers never teach! Though the target audience is elementary school (remember you watched the Superfriends and then caught a Schoolhouse Rock cartoon?), the music is excellent for any age. The grammar rock can serve at any age, the history probably useful through junior high, and science and math are likely most useful for elementary school. I am also the mom of three, and my kids have watched the DVD from the age of 2. I don't care how much they watch it, because what they are memorizing is grammar, math, history. The DVD lets you choose to play all the cartoons in order (grammar rock together, history rock together, etc) or mix everything up. My 6 and 8 year olds enjoy controlling this. Some are better than others: the grammar rock are all good; some science is outdated; there is one "Dollars and Cents" which has a country theme, and terrible grammar ("ain't" and "got me"); Schoolhouse Rock was infamous for being a good television role model for people of color (Verb's "That's What's Happening" features African American characters, for example)

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Book of the Week

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Pick of the Week

    Bestselling Books

    Bestselling Books

    Popular new reads kids are buying today.

  • Download This

    "Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

    "Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

    "Acccchhhoooo!" A funny reminder to help kids fight the flu.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name